Lawmakers Order Governor to Submit New Nominees Amid Constitutional Disputes
The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to sack all commissioners and other appointees not properly screened by the lawmakers. The resolution, contained in a letter sighted by DAILY POST, was passed during a plenary session on Wednesday.
The Assembly also directed the governor to submit a new list of nominees for appointment as commissioners within the same timeframe. This development follows an earlier ultimatum issued to Fubara to re-present the 2025 Rivers State budget, which the governor has agreed to comply with.
The letter highlighted alleged constitutional violations by the governor, including the appointment of individuals as commissioners without prior screening and confirmation by the Assembly. Specifically, it cited the case of Mr. Dagogo Iboroma, who was allegedly paraded as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice without legislative approval.
“Your attention should once again be drawn to your illegal appointments of persons to serve in various offices without first forwarding their names for screening and confirmation as required by the 1999 Constitution as amended and other extant laws,” the letter stated.
The lawmakers listed 19 individuals who were sworn in as commissioners on various dates without proper legislative approval, describing their appointments as unconstitutional.
This move comes days after the Supreme Court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim, ordered the 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to resume their legislative functions immediately. The ruling has emboldened the Assembly to assert its constitutional authority in overseeing executive appointments.
Governor Fubara, in a statement on Monday, had expressed willingness to adhere to the Assembly’s ultimatum regarding the budget re-presentation. However, the latest demand for the sack of commissioners and submission of new nominees adds another layer of tension to the ongoing power struggle between the executive and legislative arms of the state government.
As the 48-hour deadline looms, all eyes are on Governor Fubara to see how he will respond to the Assembly’s demands. The outcome could significantly impact governance and political stability in Rivers State.